Pack a Few Extras & Protect Yourself.

Never travel without a simple rubber door-stop. It can stop intruders before they get in. It's inexpensive, light to pack, and gives you peace of mind to sleep well. The main door to your room usually has a pretty good lock and peephole and sometimes a bar chain. But if there is an adjoining room, that door usually has a fairly flimsy lock. The doorstop is especially useful in those situations.

Also, never leave home without at least a foot-long piece of duct tape, wrapped around a pencil. It fixes so many things. If a strap on a sandal snaps, a purse handle breaks, it's duct tape to the rescue.

Beat Blisters on the Feet

Foot problems are a painful part of the frequent-flyer lifestyles. Many hours of walking in airports, convention halls or on uneven surfaces like cobblestone streets can lead to blisters. Band-aids often slip off toes and heels, so pack thin moleskin instead. Buy the soft self-adhesive sheets at a grocery or drugstore, cut them into small squares and keep them in your purse or briefcase. If shoes starts to rub, cover the area right away before it turns into a blister.

Wake Up Calls

Carry your own alarm clock or a sports watch with an alarm. Even five star hotels can mess up wake up calls.

Travel Tips:

Make smart choices and use your common sense. Don't be paranoid, be aware that bad things do happen, and protect yourself. Trust your instincts. They are well-honed from living in the USA. If you feel something is off, wrong, strange - get out, move on, flee, scream, whatever is appropriate. Do it quickly.

Body language:

Keep your head up, swing your arms and act confident. Adopt a no nonsense attitude. Walk with purpose and you'll be less of a target for hustlers who prey on disoriented or timid tourists.

Many people who offer you food or drink are just being kind. However, the rare exception exists - drugging occasionally happens. Try not to leave your drink unattended in bars, and exercise good judgment when accepting food or drink from people. Rophynol, the date rape drug, is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It is a tranquilizer that can be slipped into your drink by a man who would like to have sex with a woman who is heavily sedated. If you are at a party, don't accept a glass of punch unless you trust the host. Don't think this won't happen to you. Some women don't even know they have been raped until it's too late.

If you are being followed in the street and you feel threatened, duck into any store or shop and make the shop clerk understand the importance of phoning the police or a taxi immediately.

Stand next to other women or family groups in restaurants, on trains or buses, and in other public places. It is unlikely that you will be approached or harassed if you're in the company of other people.

Consider wearing a wedding ring.

There is strength and power in vocal embarrassment. Many men are shamed by a verbal, loud woman admonishing them in public. Practice screaming before you leave home! Also shame them by shaking your finger in their faces. Even if the crowd doesn't understand your words, they will understand your indignation and gestures. Most men do not want public attention. Ask for help or company if you feel uncomfortable. It is common for a would-be thief to use razor blades to cut purse straps, take the purse, and then get away in a thick sea of bodies. Wear a money belt to avoid this happening.

It may be difficult to know what is considered offensive or suggestive in segregated societies, such as Orthodox Muslim areas. At times you may feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. You may not know if the local men view you as a sex symbol representing the immoral Western World. Take your cues from the local women. Watch them. If they don't make eye-to-eye contact with men, follow their example. Blend in.

Dress appropriately. Clothing that is fashionable and appropriate in the USA may project a provocative image in another culture. Leave the revealing clothing at home.

Anticipate potential problems. If a group of men or young boys approaches you on the sidewalk on your side of the street, cross to the other side to give them space.

Be sure to know when the sun rises and sets. A bustling market can quickly empty out and be transformed into dark deserted streets. Plan to be back to your lodging or in a safe, busy neighborhood by dark.

Always bring enough money in your shoe or money pouch to get you out of a jam. Spend this money on a taxi in order to get to a safe place or back to your hotel. Do not take unnecessary risks. If you ever have doubts, scream and call for the police.